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George Michael is reportedly planning to hire a fellow inmate as a bodyguard when he leaves jail

The troubled 'Freedom' singer ' who is serving an eight-week sentence for driving under the influence of drugs and possession of cannabis ' has struck up a friendship with Robert Bleach after he promised to protect the star from trouble at Highpoint Prison in Suffolk, South England.

A source said: 'When George landed here he was terrified. He was shuffling around, scared to look anyone in the eye.

'All the other ­inmates knew who he was and a few of them started to give him stick. They saw him as a soft touch who they could rough up and intimidate. But luckily for him he was put on Bleach's wing.

'Robbie's obviously got a past and he's one of the hardest men you're going to meet but he's got a real sense of honour and pathologically hates bullies.

'He took a liking to George instantly and told him that if anyone messed with him then he could use his name to get them to back off.

'Word soon got round that they had an understanding and now no one would dare mess with George. He walks round with his head held high and isn't scared of anyone. They've hit it off so well that George has talked to him about coming to work for him on the outside.'

George ' who receives regular visits from long-term boyfriend Kenny Goss = has also been accused of receiving special treatment by prison guards who are 'star-struck' by his celebrity status.

One inmate told the Sunday Mirror newspaper: 'It's like there is one rule for him and another for everyone else. The guards have been queuing up to get their autographs for friends and family.

'The other day during visiting, he left his seat to get a drink from the vending machine, which is completely against the regulations. If another convict had done that he would have been jumped on by guards and hauled in front of the governor.'